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tice,dignity, trust andpatient safetyand rightsâ [38].Respecting the individual isoneof
themainprincipleofperson-centred research [39].Therefore, the termâuserâ shouldbe
avoidedwhen referring to theolderperson in thewelfare technologycontext.
Person centredmeans âputting the person in the centre (not in themiddle) as a
necessarycondition forproper careandgoodandefïŹcienthealthcare servicesâ [40] and
âstandardofcare that ensures thepatient/client is at thecentreofcaredeliveryâ [41].
Taking these concepts into consideration, it is here where technology researchers
usually fail.Most technologyresearchersdonotconsiderwhat theolderpersonneedsor
desires, even if that is the goal ofwelfare technology. Previousworks have pointed out
that theend-user isusuallyforgottenbecausetechnologyresearchersfocusmerelyonthe
technical aspects, thusneglecting theaimofhelping theuser in theirdaily life [11].
A reason for this could be that technology researchers do not always have the op-
portunity to work directly with older people. On the other hand, some technology re-
searchersmaynot look forward toworkdirectlywithpeople.
Workingwithpeople isnotalwaysaneasy taskfor technologyresearchers.Usually,
technical education does not involve how to approach people, especially older people.
Inquiringaboutwhat theolderpeopleneeds are todevelopwelfare technologydoesnot
imply just asking âwhat do you need?â. Instead, it takes a trained person in conduct-
ing interviews to obtain the correct information needed. This is where the healthcare
researcherscanhelp technology researchers.
In addition, healthcare science focusingon thepersoncanmake sure theolder per-
sonâsneeds areplacedbefore theneedsof the researchers, industry, government, or any
otherparty involved.
Special attentionneeds tobepaid in the topicof learning thebehaviourof theolder
person inasmarthouse.HBMcouldbe invasive inmanyways to theolderperson.Their
privacy and space need to be respected. It is herewhere placing the older person in the
centre is crucial toprovideadigniïŹedenvironment for theolderperson.
Nevertheless, healthcare and technology researchersmay ïŹnd difïŹculties to com-
municatewith eachother. Technology researchers assumemany things thatmaybeun-
knowntothehealthcareresearcher,andviceversa,whichmaygrowintofrustrationfrom
bothsides.
It should not be presumed that either the technical ïŹeld ismore relevant than the
healthcare ïŹeldwhen developing awelfare technology.Both areas cannot be separated
if theïŹnal goal is to improve the lives of older people.Therefore, there shouldbemore
collaborationbetweenbothïŹelds.
5.3. On theEthicsandLegalchallenges
The ethical part is an important aspectwhen developingwelfare technology due to the
severalchallengesthatarise.Thesechallengesrangefromcost-effectiveness,privacy,au-
tonomy, informedconsent,dignity,safety,andtrust.Otherconcernsare the legalaspects,
technology acceptance, exclusion, depression and isolation, the gap between designers
andusers, and technology testingandassessment [10].
AtUSN, these ethical issues are considered inorder toprovidea safe anddigniïŹed
environmentforolderpeople.However, technologyhaslimitationsandthuscannotsolve
all theproblems related toageing [10].
The legal aspects are another essential part ofwelfare technology.Although coun-
tries havedifferent laws involvingwelfare technology, the concerns tend tobe the same
V.G.Sanchez
/WelfareTechnology,Healthcare,andBehaviourModellingâAnAnalysis302
Intelligent Environments 2019
Workshop Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Environments
- Title
- Intelligent Environments 2019
- Subtitle
- Workshop Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Intelligent Environments
- Authors
- Andrés Muñoz
- Sofia Ouhbi
- Wolfgang Minker
- Loubna Echabbi
- Miguel Navarro-CĂa
- Publisher
- IOS Press BV
- Date
- 2019
- Language
- German
- License
- CC BY-NC 4.0
- ISBN
- 978-1-61499-983-6
- Size
- 16.0 x 24.0 cm
- Pages
- 416
- Category
- TagungsbÀnde